Makerere University UVRI Centre of Excellence for Infection & Immunity Research and Training (MUII-plus) (360G-Wellcome-107743_B_15_Z)

£134,785

Infectious diseases remain the commonest cause of death in Africa, with HIV, malaria, tuberculosis and respiratory infections major contributors (Figure 1).1 Neglected infectious diseases cause widespread morbidity and economic loss.2 Yet effective vaccines are lacking for HIV, malaria, tuberculosis and helminths, and improved diagnostics and interventions are required. Concurrently, escalating non-communicable disease (NCD) rates3 present opportunities to explore infection-NCD relationships in ways no longer possible in resource-rich settings4 and genetic studies promise new insights into immunobiology because genetic variability in Africa is so high.5, 6 These African challenges and opportunities call for Infection & Immunity (I & I) research, in which key disciplines are immunology, molecular biology and bioinformatics. High infectious disease endemicity means that African scientists have unrivalled opportunities to conduct translational I & I research of global importance, embedded within strong epidemiological study designs (Figure 2). However, strong African capacity is necessary for sustainable, regionally-based research on African health priorities, and development in basic sciences has lagged behind clinical and epidemiological expertise.7 In Uganda, this gap hasbeen recognised: the National Development Plan8 and Vision 20409 prioritise science investment; basic science is a research priority at Makerere University;10 an African Development Bank (ADB) loan is developing laboratory infrastructure at Ugandan institutions (question(q)1j-k). The Makerere University UVRI Centre of Excellence for Infection and Immunity research and training (MUII-plusi) strategy is to drive I & I science in Uganda by bringing together scientists from the foremost health research institute (the Uganda Virus Research Institute, UVRI), and foremost university (Makerere), with their world-class, external collaborators, to support excellence in I & I research and training. Building on experience since 2008, and aligning with the Trust's DELTAS strategy [indicated in italics] MUII-plus will 1. Promote Africa-relevant I & I scientific excellence [Scientific Quality]. Transitioning from a training programme, the MUII-plus Centre of Excellence will comprise senior Ugandan I & Iscientists and young, emerging leaders, their research groups, trainees, and international collaborators: a mutually-supportive platform for world-class Africa-relevant science and training. 2. Provide career training for African I & I research leaders [Research Training] through a. Career-pathway fellowships: Uganda-based, with international collaboration and cosupervision b. Focus on bioinformatics: ring-fenced bioinformatic fellowships and project grants; shortcourses integrated with partner-network opportunities c. Focus on emerging & re-emerging infectious diseases: ring-fenced PhD opportunities at College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity (CoVAB) d. Improved efficiency and quality in I & I Masters training: Coordination of courses across Makerere colleges; expert input from Uganda partners, and video-conferencing from Cambridge e. Professional development and citizenship: mentored leadership experience; curriculum of workshops f. Planning for sustainability and succession 3. Utilise and enhance the UVRI-Makerere I & I research environment [Management/Environment]: a. Drive research in new laboratories developed during phase 1 (MUII-1i), in new, CoVAB, biosecurity laboratories, in the MRC-funded Uganda Medical Informatics Centre b. Strengthen research support at lead institution, UVRI 4. Engage in outreach [Citizenship]: developing communication skills; raising public awareness, networking scientists and trainees, sharing resources and research findings, interacting with policy makers, promoting implementation

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Grant Details

Amount Awarded 134785
Applicant Surname Dunne
Approval Committee DELTAs Africa Interview Committee
Award Date 2015-05-05T00:00:00+00:00
Financial Year 2014/15
Grant Programme: Title DELTAS Initiative
Internal ID 107743/B/15/Z
Lead Applicant Prof David Dunne
Partnership Name DELTAs Africa
Partnership Value 134785
Planned Dates: End Date 2021-09-30T00:00:00+00:00
Planned Dates: Start Date 2016-01-01T00:00:00+00:00
Recipient Org: Country United Kingdom
Region East of England